Being tall has its benefits - I can reach high things, see over a crowd and when I was in middle school - beat all the boys in sports. Though this did not get me many dates, it did give me social currency and an assurance that I was more than equal to my male classmates. Clearly my physical dominance did not last too long (I stopped growing at 15). But in a society where physical strength is glorified, part of me struggled with how I would prove my worth if being physically stronger than men was not an option.
Though simplistic, my assumptions as a kid speak to the realities of our society. We idolize professional athletes, consume movies where heroes shoot the “bad guys” and justify many acts of violence through the lens of protecting our freedom. This kind of strength is powerful but it is also incredibly destructive. Violence is the language of those who are desperate and feel powerless. When we meet it with more destruction, we only fuel the fire of retaliation with no way to calm the flames.
With the recent passing of Ruth Bader Ginsberg and John Lewis, we are reminded of those who possess a different kind of strength. One of moral fortitude, resilience, humility, grit and incredible thoughtfulness. Though we are in mourning, we could give up and despair or reach down deep and find the strength we know we possess to carry on.
In order to regain our strength, though, we are going to need to eat well. It is time to turn to the food that you know nurtures your body the most. I think of hearty leafy greens, rich stews, sustaining bean and rice dishes and thick juicy steaks. And though I admire how serious you are taking the state of the world, we must also celebrate our small wins. So break out your grandma’s chocolate cake recipe, enjoy a strong IPA on your porch in the sun and share a socially distanced old fashioned with a neighbor. Life is simply too short to not. Just please have the strength to say no to seconds.
We are all going through a lot at this moment and are naturally feeling depleted. We must take care of ourselves and cultivate our strength so that we can act in a way that we can be proud of, instead of getting caught up in the reactivity of fear and cowardice. So take a seat at the table and could you please pass the brownies?